Name: William A Rietzel
First Name(s): William A
Last Name: Rietzel
Place of birth: Rhode Island,
Rank: 2 Lt Pilot
ASN: O-683501
Company: 508th F Sqdrn
Unit: 404th Fighter Grp 9th USAAF
Reported as: MIA
Date of incident: 01-01-1945
Place of incident: Malmedy area
His story: 2 Lt William A Rietzel took off with Republic THUNDERBOLT P-47D-22, #42-25700.
Just after Blue flight pulled off the Bombing target, Lt Reitzel, flying Blue #2, called that his engine was rough, apparently detonating. 1st Lt Andrew P Shaddix, Red #3, started home with Blue #2 as the engine of Lt Rietzel’s plane began throwing heavy black smoke. After about two minutes, the smoke stopped, and the plane started a forty-five degree dive straight ahead, the engine apparently dead. Lt Reitzel bailed out at about 8,000 feet, and Lt Shaddix observed his safe descent into a heavily wooded area, 15 miles North-East of Malmedy.
Destination: Sankt Vith, Belgium
Mission: Armed Reconnaissance
MACR: 11513
Unit History of 404th Fighter Group
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